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Canadian Veterans National day to Rally / Protest, 11oo, 6 Nov.2010
Mike Blais:
Fellow Royal Canadians and friends of The regiment.
This thread is dedicated to the Canadians veterans national dawy of Protest which is slated for the 6th of November, 2010 at you local MPs office.
The Royal Canadian Regiment Association will lead the way.
Gentlemen,
Once again Mike Blais is in the forefront of a movement to benefit Canada's military and veterans old and new in particular. His request for the support of The RCR Association was decided at the Board of Directors meeting 17 September 2010, and produced a majority decision that we would support his request but with certain caveats. The protest rally and meetings with MPs must be conducted in a disciplined manner and not confrontational. There should be no shouting, unruly conduct and placards and regimental banners should not be carried. Views should be presented to MPs by a single individual such as the Branch President or his designate. If Branches are not in agreement with some of the issues that Mike
speaks of, they need not raise them. Dress should be blazer and flannels with headdress and large medals.
As one Director stated: "I can tell you as a personal injury lawyer in the civilian world that the benefits our soldiers receive are a shadow of those offered through provincial WSIB programs, provincial and municipal civilian servant contracts and private insurance/benefit plans. An injured cab driver, drywaller or postman could ultimately get more than an injured soldier and that isn't right.The reason for that is that all the above mentioned workers have strong labour unions, associations or lobby groups. I ask you "who speaks for the soldier?"
This Association is that voice and we should use it to look out for those who have been injured or killed while serving. I know for many who have served, or continue to serve, you may find entering a political debate somewhat distasteful or disloyal. I would suggest that the only disloyalty would be to not seek the best for our membership and the members of The RCR".
May the protest/rally on 6 November be successful!
Pro Patria
Cliff Collision
Chairman NHQ
The RCR Association
Mike Blais:
The issues and just how we got to this point.
Veterans standing up for Colonel Stogran as he has stood up for us.
Last month, retired Colonel Pat Stogran, CO of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry battalion that led Canada’s deployment to Afghanistan, was informed by the Canadian government that his services as Veterans Ombudsman would be no longer required. Veterans across the nation were appalled, fearing the important issues championed so vigilantly by Colonel Stogran would be ignored or delayed beneath the guise of Minister Blackburn’s claim of need for a new vision. I can assure all Canadians, there is nothing wrong with Colonel Stogran’s vision; the issues he has identified and condemned during his tenure are very, very real. During the past three years he has truly earned the trust of our veterans through action and word, a refreshing source of support for many who are living with the debilitating consequences of war and peace.
A majority of Canadians are unfamiliar with the hardships our veterans are confronting. I would like to clarify this situation with the sincere hope that once you understand how veterans are being treated, you might be inclined to support them at 1100 hours, November 6th, 2010 when we assemble in front of our MP’s offices to respectfully ask for support redressing five principle areas of concern.
The widow’s aka death benefit tax. Sadly, the families of the fallen, already deeply grieving the loss of loved ones are subject to a great deal of financial hardship through this unjust taxation policy. We believe that the families of the fallen deserve a tax exception on all death benefits.
Lump Sum Award. Sadly, hundreds of Canada’s sons and daughters have sustained grievous wounds in action and/or suffer from a variety of service related physical and psychological issues. We have borne witness to the struggle of the armless, the legless, blind, deaf… hundreds of veterans are returning to Canada from Afghanistan with serious health problems, including PTSD. Financially, the New Veterans Charter is particularly deficient. I will demonstrate by comparing the two systems. Hypothetically, two veterans are severely wounded, age twenty-five, wife, child. One receives a lump sum payment of 276000 dollars. The other receives the standard before the New Veterans Charter implementation, roughly 3000 dollars a month. Both live to the age of 85. The new veteran receives 276000 dollars during this period, about 380 dollars a month. His colleague, on the pre New Veterans Charter, receives roughly TWO MILLION dollars. This vast disparity, particularly when one considers the consequences of modern combat, is obscene.
Veterans Affairs pension / SISIP claw back. As you might imagine, it is nearly impossible for a soldier to get life/disability insurance. Prior to the New Veterans Charter, Canada’s Sons and Daughters participated in a mandatory DND implemented, Long-term disability insurance program administered by SISIP Manulife. These Long Term Disability Benefits are clawed back by the amount of the monthly VAC Disability Pension (non-taxable and not income) they receive under the Pension Act. Veterans Affairs Canada disability pensions are not considered income replacement. These are awards for the level of physical or psychological injury and the pain and suffering due of the veteran’s injuries. As such, we believe the claw back on our pensions is fundamentally unfair.
Reduction of pension at age 65. Imagine you served you entire career, dutifully paying into your pension fund only to discover that the government is arbitrarily going to reduce it the moment you hit 65. This is fundamentally unfair, particularly in the sense that all governmental offices, only the RCMP and the Canadian Armed Forces are adversely affected by this financial hardship. We believe that this is a burden for veterans and Mounties; this discriminating policy must be repealed.
Agent Orange/PTSD. We respectfully request that a comprehensive program be implemented to assist those who were affected by Agent Orange at CFB Gagetown. The current settlement covers only those affected over the course of one year even though it has been proven that hundreds, if not thousands of veterans through time, may have been exposed. The consequences are fatal, cancers inherent with great discomfort and pain. Many veterans have already died. To deny responsibility and care for those suffering a terminal disease yet provide for others similarly affected, but only during the one-year period, is morally wrong. Post traumatic stress issues have also become an urgent issue as more and more of our veterans find it difficult coping with their wartime experiences after repatriation.
These are the facts and with these facts in mind, I would invite all Canadians to join veterans throughout Canada on the 6th of November 2010, at 1100 hours in front of your local MP’s office. We shall unite as brothers and sisters, sing O Canada, respectfully present our petition to our local parliamentarians and provide him/her an opportunity to address these issues in a public forum. If you can’t come in person, write a letter, send an email or call you MP on that day. Conservative, Liberal or NDP, it matters not, our veterans need the support of all parliamentarians if we are to change the New Veterans Charter through legislation. Just as we, the veterans of Canada, need the support of all Canadians.
Stand up for veterans! Stand up for veterans as they have stood up for you.
Michael L Blais CD, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Mike Blais:
Sit Rep Saturday, 18 Sept.
This is in response to several letters requesting and update and queries about the government’s VAC announcements. Lets start at the beginning. We have had an outstanding week and expanded the national rally/protest presence significantly. Team Leaders now stretch across the nation from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, a remarkable feat considering the short period of time and one that aptly demonstrates the frustration Canada’s veterans and their families are sharing. I can assure you, the government and opposition parties have been notified of our intentions and are aware of our activities. One of our team leaders, Ron Denham in Toronto, has been invited to discuss the situation and Colonel Stogran’s replacement by a government MP in the very near future. Of course, a replacement is not conducive to our intentions, we want Colonel Stogran extended and the five primary issues identified.
I for one am very pleased the government addressed the ALS issue yet saddened, as noted in the attached newspaper link, that it would take the threats of prolonged law-suits to bring the situation to an end. I cannot help but wonder how many veterans died of ALS during the era of lawsuits and how many veterans are actually eligible. Let us pray that the numbers are very, very low. More on this issue is available here. I would remind you also that those affected by the SISIP issue have also been forced to launch a lawsuit and a decision will, hopefully, soon be issued from the Supreme Court of Canada.
http://www.canada.com/health/SOMNIA/3541839/story.html
Ministers Blackburn and Mackay will release more details about improvements to the New Veterans Charter tomorrow at NDHQ at 1400hrs. Being somewhat cynical, I cannot help but note that the press conference has been scheduled at a time when a vast majority of Canadians are paying attention to anything but the news. I urge you to stay focused on the five principles. The government knows exactly what we are doing, I spoke personally to David Sweet at which time I defined the nature of our concerns and presented the recruitment letter. MPs Stoffer and Oliphant were apprised. Mr Sweet informed me there would be changes to the NVC before Christmas but did not say whether the five central issues were addressed. Christmas is four months off and as such, I would suggest that Colonel Stogran, ourselves and many others are applying pressure for the government to implement change.
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/defencewatch/archive/2010/09/18/mackay-blackburn-to-announce-more-money-for-vets-has-ombudsman-stogran-s-campaign-to-embarrass-the-government-to-provide-more-support-for-veterans-paid-off.aspx
Now is NOT the time to lower our guard and be satisfied with recommendations that may only be a diversionary smoke screen to counter our primary objectives.
End the Widows tax.
End the Lump Sum payment.
End the SISIP claw back on VAC pensions
End the reduction of CPP and CPP disability pensions at age 65
Expand the Agent Orange programs to include all veterans affected and increase the resources for those suffering or in need of urgent treatment for PTSD.
Nothing, and I mean this with all due sincerity, would please me more then to tell you we have attained our five objectives without having to rally / protest, God bless you all for your outstanding support, we can now stand down! I am certain many of you share these feelings and as veterans, do not feel comfortable protesting. Yet we must remain vigilant, we must ensure that this is not just another rendition of BS baffles brains.
The team leaders list is posted under discussion at the facebook sites and with some modifications will be presented at the VeteranVoice.info site in the very near future. A mission specific message board has been created for the national day of protest and individual folders will be created so that the plans, addresses and contact emails/telephone numbers can be publicized for each event. Just click on forum at the upper index and register, be assured that you will not receive any spam and your emails are safe.
I hope that you will note who is taking command in your area and offer your support. If there is no one, step up. It is vital that we maintain the pressure between now and the 6th of November and the prospect of an event in a tightly contested riding may motivate the government to actually listen to Colonel Stogran and address the primary issues that confront our troops, veterans and those courageous members of the RCMP and other police agencies who have suffered through their service to Queen and Country.
Our duty is clear. Our resolve is not in question.
Michael L Blais CD
mlblaisrcr@veteranvoice.info
http://canadianveteransnationaldayofprotest.veteranvoice.info/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100306030029293&v=wall
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=148801205137620&v=wall
David Ward:
Who do I contact in Vancouver, BC? Would like to participate.
Mike Blais:
No Vancouver yet, David. But their is another seven weeks to go.
Current list
Protest Location List September 15 , 2010
Team Newfoundland
All MPS in Newfoundland will be addressed.
Jeff Rose Martland, St Johns, Rally, Our Duty website
Robin Brentnall, MP Scott Simms, Bonavista-Exploits
Team Nova Scotia
Ron Wray, MP Peter Stoffer, Lower Sackville
Gary Zwicker, Halifax, details to be announced, Rally?
Craig Leonard, MP Gerald Keddy, Bridgewater
Ron Cleroux, MP Megan Leslie, Halifax
Stuart Mills, MP Sarah Newton, Truro and Falmouth.
Team New Brunswick.
Fred Doucette, MP, Gagetown?
Glen James Berry, MP Brian Murphy, Moncton,
Team Prince Edward Island
Rally - VAC HQ on Grafton Street in Charlottetown.
Team Ontario
Sean Wilson, London, Rally, 4 MPs invited
Mike Blais, MP Robert Nicholson, Niagara Falls
Ken Hebbard, MP Patrick Brown, Barrie
Elsie Hetherman, MP Dan McTeague, Pickering
Bonnie Toews, MP Bev Oda, Durham.
Eric Robiere, MP Kingston
Lance Usher, MP Rick Norlock, Trenton
Ron Denham, MP Ms Ratasini, Don Valley
Rick Austin, MP Irene Mathyssen, London
Team Alberta
Leonard Stahl, MP Tim Uppel, Edmonton, Sherwood Park
Mark Eggenhuizen, MP ?, Calgary
Mark Sandiland, MP Rick Cassan, Lethbridge
Mark Kelly, MP Mike Lake, Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont.
Team BC
Kenneth Young MP, James Lunney, Nanaimo
Gary Griggs, MP Randy Kemp, Maple Ridge
Bruce Webb, MP John Duncan, Comox
Donna Lyne Theresa Furnival, MP Keith Marten, Esquimalt, Jaun de Fuca
Joe Beauchene, MP Chuck Strahl, Chilliwack
Gary Goode, MP Jim Abbot. Kootenay
Dennis Teeple, Gary Lunn, Victoria.
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